Every year on the third Monday of January, citizens across the United States celebrate the birthday of the great Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On this Federal Holiday, the Nation takes time to reflect on the contribution that he made for Civil Rights, Voting Rights, and society overall on a global scale. Often students read about Dr. King in their history books or hear excerpts from his speeches in documentaries of school plays, but the words and philosophies that he shared are far from ancient history!
Within the last two weeks, the entertainment world has lost two greats; Betty White and Sidney Poitier. To put things into perspective, Betty White was born seven years prior to Dr. King and Sidney Poitier a mere two years before. With a birthdate of January 19th, 1929, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 93 years old had he not been assassinated. So as previously stated, he is far from ancient history!
Dr. Martin Luther King is well-known for his non-violent approach to discrimination, violence, and injustice. Many of his speeches and quotes centered around oppression. One of his notable quotes states “some people are so worn down by the yoke of oppression that they give up.” The oppression in reference is regarding Civil Rights, however, students of all races, genders, cultures, religions, and backgrounds are encountering a different form of it now which continues to make Dr. King’s message even more relevant. Students and young people are currently facing oppression as the result of the COVID-pandemic, Quarantine, and negative effects of social media. Whether it is acknowledged or not, many of our students are in distress and under mental pressure, which is equivalent to a form of oppression!
In his writings, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has identified three ways in which people deal with oppression. One way is to simply become conditioned to it, another way is for them to resort to physical violence & hatred, and finally through nonviolent resistance. If we were to scan the news, social media, or even under the roof of some of our own homes, we can easily observe these various behaviors. While factors such as bullying or even school shootings are not new to the nation, an increase of it can be traced to the oppression that many students and young people are under. Some adults and previous generations may not understand the magnitude of the matter, however, that does not mean that it does not exist.
Like the Forefathers of this Nation, individuals have come before us, and through their works have prepared a solid foundation to build upon. Dr. Martin Luther King’s contributions to society and the development of character both play a key role in the battle against oppression. In order for our students and youth to reach success and become victorious over oppression, they need practical guidance on character development skills like self-awareness, social awareness, and responsible decision-making skills. Over the last few years there has been more emphasis on social-emotional learning and character development in schools, but maybe it is time for reform!
How much more of a positive impact would there be on students if character development became classified as a core content area? There is no argument about the value of mathematics, science, literature, or history, however the total development of our youth is not always a priority. The side effects or results of this deficit is becoming more evident. As previously stated by Dr. King “some people are so worn down by the yoke of oppression that they give up.” Let’s not give up on our young people or allow them to give up on themselves. Together we can fulfill the dream that was cut short on that Memphis hotel balcony on April 4th 1968. United we can overcome oppression in on all aspects, continuing a legacy with a message from decades past that remains relevant. Together we will be able to “hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.”
- Ryan Manning